Abstract

This paper reports on a study into the practices
and perceptions of Thai and Emerati university
students in their use of computer-based materials
(CbMs) beyond the classroom, including in Self Access
Centres (SACs). Questionnaires and semi-structured
interviews in focus groups and one-to-one were
utilised to gather information. The data suggests
that students made regular and extensive use of a
wide range of materials in both their native language
and the English language. Students recognised the
importance of accessing and transmitting information
in the English language. They appeared to make
considerable use of CbMs for exposure to and the
unconscious acquisition of the English language,
particularly beyond a SAC. Where conscious learning
of English was reported the role of SACs appears
to be highly significant. The paper concludes by
proposing that we need to go beyond traditional
frameworks of computer-assisted language learning
(CALL) for understanding and investigating the role
of technology in language pedagogy and that the
term mobile assisted language use (MALU) may be
more appropriate.